Emmy Hayes Condon
Your daily guide to feeling, looking, and living your best.
My Drugstore Beauty Holy Grails: 6 Tried-and-True Staples I Repurchase Every Time
Pursuing any drugstore shelf is one of my favorite pastimes, and whatever is new is always my first go-to. I'm a self-proclaimed beauty junkie, but there are a few tried-and-true staples that are always on the empties and restock lists.
And now, with most drugstore products as good as (f not even a bit better than) more expensive versions, these are the few things always in my basket.
Let's start with the obvious: This moisturizer is basically a rite of passage at this point, but I keep coming back for a reason — it's the ultimate skin barrier hug in a tub. For the delicate under-eye area, I swear by this; it's gentle enough for beginners, but you'll actually see results.
When a breakout decides to crash the party uninvited, this spot treatment has been my emergency contact for years. And for lashes that look like they cost way more than they did, nothing beats this, and the instant glam mood never lets me down.
My lips are drama queens, so these live in every bag, coat pocket, and nightstand I own. And to finish things off with a little supermodel shine, this shampoo gives my hair that glassy, salon-fresh look without the salon price tag.
Consider this your permission slip to enjoy the drugstore aisle for a few favorites without breaking the beauty bank.
Dolly Parton's Beauty Was Never a Mask. It Was Her Superpower.
There was something magical about the fringe, the blue eyeshadow, the lashes, the HAIR, the red lips, and the brilliant smile. Then the body, sculpted and reshaped entirely on her own terms, punchlines and misogyny and all. Despite it all, she never let it rattle her. She knew her real gifts were the words on the page and the strums on the guitar (she even played her acrylic nails like an instrument, duetting with Patti LaBelle). Beauty was simply a tool in the vast, big-hearted creativity of a petite powerhouse.
Appearance and beauty made her who she was, not despite what little she had, but because of how she used it. She started with pokeberries and burnt matches for her earliest beauty looks, and built from there to the perfect blonde bouffant and bright blush that became her signature. That evolution wasn't vanity; it was a masterclass in self-invention.
Dolly didn't just wear beauty culture, she authored it. Long before "unapologetic femininity" was a hashtag, she was living it: the exaggerated wigs, the rhinestones, the curves, all dialed up to a volume she controlled. Her most famous line on the subject, "it costs a lot of money to look this cheap," wasn't self-deprecation. It was a thesis statement. She turned a look that critics dismissed as trashy into a signature so recognizable it became shorthand for camp, glamour, and Appalachian pride all at once. Drag performers, pop stars, and beauty creators have spent decades riffing on her aesthetic because she got there first, and she got there on her own terms. She proved that femininity this loud could also be this smart, and that the woman underneath the wig was always the one holding the pen.
The way she used beauty as power elevated her into legend.
With an outpouring of remembrances and support across the spectrum, everyone loved Dolly. She stood as a feminist icon and as the embodiment of the American dream. Two of my favorite cultural deep dives on her are this podcast series and book, both of which explore Dolly as a woman who crossed genres and defied stereotypes, owning every conversation about her looks, her body, and her intelligence — always reminding us exactly what kind of woman she was.
May we all feel as beloved and beautiful as Dolly.
Is Being Single The Flex of 2026?
There is a vibe shift happening. Remember when hard launching your boyfriend was the ultimate main character moment? Yeah, that's over. Some on the internet are declaring it "fundamentally uncool to be a boyfriend-girl,"and honestly? The internet agreed. Suddenly the hand-creeping-into-frame photo replaced the full-on couple's caption, and being partnered stopped feeling like an achievement — pronouncing yourself single became the actual flex.
And it's not just vibes, it's a whole philosophy now. Writers are calling this "single on purpose" energy, where choosing to skip a relationship that adds stress or limits your growth signals self-trust rather than settling. Some are even linking it to "heterofatalism" — basically a collective exhaustion with hetero dating that's made "partnered" stop feeling like an automatic win.
So is this actually aspirational, or are we all just tired and calling it empowerment? Probably a little of both. Dating apps are burning people out, the "situationship" era left scars, and reclaiming your peace does feel powerful. But let's be honest — being single "on purpose" only works if it's actually your purpose, not a trend you're performing for the group chat.
Real talk: the flex isn't being single OR being coupled up. It's being so good to yourself that either one feels like a win.
Ask Clara:
"What are some of the best solo date ideas?"
Adjusting to a New Schedule? Here's How to Make It Easier
Let's talk about schedule shifts—because whether it's a new job, new school year, a new sleep routine, or life just deciding to throw you a curveball, changing up your schedule can feel like your whole body is staging a tiny rebellion. The good news? You can absolutely make the transition smoother.
First, ease in rather than dive headfirst. If you're shifting your wake-up time by two hours, don't just white-knuckle it on day one. Nudge your body clock by 15-30 minutes each day until you land where you want to be. Your circadian rhythm will thank you.
Next, anchor your mornings and nights. Pick one or two non-negotiables—like a consistent wake-up time or a wind-down ritual—and keep those steady even while everything else feels chaotic. Consistency, even in a small corner of your day, gives your nervous system something to hold on to.
Don't underestimate light exposure. Getting sunlight (or a light therapy lamp) soon after waking helps reset your internal clock faster than coffee ever could.
Also, be patient with yourself. Experts say it can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks for your body to adjust fully, so give yourself grace if you're dragging a little at first.
And finally, protect your sleep like it's sacred. New schedule or not, sleep is the foundation on which everything else is built.
Change is hard, but your body is more adaptable than you think. One small, steady step at a time.
Ask Clara:
"How do I form better habits?"
The Case Against One-Click Buying: How Slow Shopping Became the New Self-Care
Convenience is online shopping: fast delivery, promised newness, shiny things practically dropped in your lap. And look, I've always loved to shop. But lately the online arena has felt a little lackluster — same algorithm, same ten brands, same "you might also like." Getting out of the house and into a well-curated shop (bonus points if it's a local small business) has become the best place to spend hard-earned money, especially with everything getting more expensive.
Turns out I'm not the only one feeling this.
Boutique shopping is having a real moment right now, and it's not just nostalgia — it's a genuine pushback against the endless-scroll, one-click, buy-now culture we've been living in for years. After a stretch where "convenient" meant "correct," people are rediscovering that a slower, more deliberate way to shop can feel just as good as the purchase itself. Independent shops are reporting renewed foot traffic, shoppers are name-dropping their favorite local spots the way they used to recommend restaurants, and there's a growing appetite for the kind of discovery an algorithm can't replicate — the thrill of finding something in person that you didn't know you needed.
Part of it is economic: when every dollar counts a little more, people want to feel good about where it goes. Part of it is sensory burnout — we've all bought the thing that looked perfect on screen and felt like cardboard in real life. And part of it is just craving a little friction back in our routines, a reason to leave the house with intention instead of a package showing up while we're not even paying attention.
Which brings me back to my own theory: dedicated shopping trips make for less impulse buying and more sensory buying — all five senses working overtime before you decide whether this is finally the perfect white t-shirt, whether that little plush toy is a timeless keepsake, or whether a notebook has the kind of silky pages your gel pen can actually glide across.
Turns out, the best algorithm might just be your own two hands.
Ask Clara:
"What are some easy ways to budget?"
Is Skipping Sunscreen Ruining Your Dating Life? Gen Z Says Yes
Ever thought about whether your new date wears sunscreen? Has strong opinions about sunscreen? Because apparently Gen Z daters have a very strong opinion, because that's a whole thing now.
A new survey from the Hily Dating App shows that some Gen Z daters see sunscreen as a total dealbreaker — like, actually swipe-left-worthy. 1 in 5 Gen Z women and more than 1 in 3 men said they wouldn't date someone who skips sunscreen on their face. Which, sure, health is hot. But here's the plot twist: 23% of women and 37% of men who said that... don't actually wear sunscreen themselves. So, a little hypocrisy in the mix, but we don't judge (much).
The Hily data (they surveyed 4,500 daters, so this isn't just vibes) also found the flip side is real: 30% of both men and women wouldn't date someone who pressures them to use more sunscreen than they want, and 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 4 men said constant sunscreen talk is an instant no. There IS such a thing as too much SPF nagging, apparently.
But before you panic — most people land on the sweet spot. 70% of Gen Z women and 64% of men consider making sure your partner wears sunscreen a genuine form of care, basically the new "text me when you get home."
Moral of the story: offer the sunscreen, don't force the sunscreen, and maybe apply your own before your next beach day.
Ask Clara:
"What are some fun outdoor date ideas?"
My Current Obsession: Refillable Deodorants
My new personal care obsession: refillable deodorants. If you're already doing the reusable water bottle thing and bringing your own tote to Trader Joe's, this is your natural next step (pun intended).
Here are my top picks:
Wild is the OG that got me into this whole thing — a sleek case you keep forever, paired with compostable refill pods that pop in and out. It's made with 95% natural-origin ingredients and is Vegan Society & Leaping Bunny certified, so it checks the clean-beauty box, too.
Dove Refillable is the mass-market hero here. The stainless steel case is designed to last a lifetime, and the refill packaging is made from 98% recycled plastic. Plus, you can find it at big-box stores, so zero effort required.
Rollr is the new luxury pick that's basically a piece of jewelry for your bathroom counter. The glass bottle has a modular, patented screw-top neck for easy refilling, cutting packaging by 90% compared to competitors. The refills are powder-to-liquid concentrates you mix with water at home — it feels more like a ritual than a chore.
Why deodorant is the perfect refillable beauty gateway: it's a fast repurchase (so you feel the savings quickly), the "case + insert" format is dead simple to design well, and unlike serums or foundation, there's no shade-matching or formula anxiety. Just pop in a new pod and go. Low-risk, high-impact, very "I have my life together" energy.
Beware The Barbie Peptide
You know that "Barbie drug" you keep seeing on TikTok — the one promising a sunless glow-up via injection or nasal spray? We need to talk about it. It's called Melanotan II, and #tanfluencers are hyping it hard, but dermatologists are very much not on board. The peptide works by revving up melanin production — but it doesn't just talk to your skin. It messes with receptors all over your body, which is why users report everything from nausea and headaches to a very unfun side effect: hours-long, painful erections. Not the glow-up anyone signed up for.
And now it's official: The Skin Cancer Foundation just issued a formal warning on Melanotan II, and it's serious. They've flagged case reports linking the drug to melanoma, plus rapid changes in moles that can make catching skin cancer way harder. Add in muscle damage and system-wide toxicity, and you've got a real mess. Worse, it's totally unregulated — you're basically trusting a random online seller with your bloodstream, no idea what's actually in the vial.
Look, we all want that effortless bronze. But this isn't a shortcut; it's a gamble with your health. Skip the syringe and reach for a good self-tanner instead. Your skin (and your future dermatologist) will thank you.
What I'm Loving This Summer: Skincare, Books & Easy Summer Recipes
Is it just me, or is everyone OOO right now? Honestly, rightfully so. It's still peak summer, and while I've got a little vacay envy of my own (hi, new baby + 100-degree heat + hormones), I wanted to share a few things that got me through the season. Maybe you'll indulge with me as summer winds down into its gentle, golden-hour close.
Moving: Weekly online yoga, plus 5 minutes of stretching before bed (my nervous system thanks me)
Eating: Fresh tomatoes, crusty bread, good cheese — basically anything that doesn't require turning on the stove in this heat
Wearing: These lip balms, this self-tanning face spray, and body oil on repeat. Also just... living in flowy linen sets (Old Navy never misses)
Watching: Just the right amount of scary for #summerween, one deliciously messy summer fling drama, and something a little unhinged
Reading: I finally rejoined Goodreads (it had been a solid decade — no judgment please ?), and I've been racking up audiobooks while feeding the baby. Loved these short, delightful novellas, surprisingly enjoyed this memoir, and added this, this, this, and this to the TBR pile.
Doing: Beginner cross-stitch kits (because they keep me off my phone)
Enjoy these last few weeks of summer!
Ask Clara:
"How do I improve my relationships?"
The Newest Way To Be Single: Hobbyamory
The dating trend taking over group chats everywhere: hobbyamory. The New York Times just wrote about it and it's the singles life hack we didn't know we needed.
Here's the gist: instead of white-knuckling your way through another swipe-fueled coffee date with a stranger, hobbyamory is all about falling for your hobbies first and letting connection happen around them. Run clubs, pottery studios, climbing gyms, book clubs — these low-pressure, built-in-activity spaces are becoming the new meet-cutes, minus the awkward "so tell me about yourself" silence. You're not performing datability; you're just doing the thing you love, surrounded by other people who love it too. Romance becomes a bonus, not the whole point.
That's the magic of it. You get to build a full, joyful single life first. Even if you never lock eyes with a soulmate over a pottery wheel, you still leave with a new skill, a sense of community, and zero bad-date stories to recover from.
So, we say: lean in. Some fun hobby-date ideas to try solo or with a crew:
A sunrise hike with a local trail group
A beginner ceramics or paint-and-sip class
Trivia night at your neighborhood bar
A community garden workday
An amateur cooking class (bonus points if you get to eat your mistakes)
A bouldering gym intro session
Single doesn't mean sitting around waiting. It means showing up for your own life — hobbies included.